Sheriff’s Bomb & Arson Unit Destroys Illegal Fireworks, Talks About Potential Dangers

A load of illegal fireworks that had been confiscated by the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department was destroyed Wednesday morning at the Bomb Disposal Center in Spring Valley.

Bomb & Arson Unit officers were joined by representatives from The Burn Institute in an effort to help spread the word about the dangers of fireworks as the July 4th holiday approaches.

In one thunderous explosion, more than 100 pounds of illegal fireworks brought across the border from Mexico were blown to bits. In a second explosion, smaller Chinese-made firecrackers were destroyed.

Diane Sutherland, a representative from The Burn Institute, said that they see a lot of burn injuries to children, especially this time of year, due to accidents with fireworks.

According to a Consumer Product Safety Commission report, three people were killed by fireworks accidents in 2010 in the United States. Emergency rooms around the country treated an estimated 8,600 fireworks-related injuries in 2010. An estimated 6,300 fireworks-related injuries occurred in the month-long period before and after Independence Day. Approximately 40 percent of fireworks-related injuries occurred to children under 15.

All kinds of fireworks are illegal to possess in San Diego County. That fact aside, even the smallest fireworks, and those seen as most safe, can be harmful.

Sgt. E.J. Dayrit from the sheriff’s Bomb & Arson Unit said that even handheld sparklers burn at close to 1,800 degrees, which is hot enough to cause significant burns. He said fireworks can also cause damage to canyon lands in the arid San Diego climate, as evidenced by a June 2007 fire in the Cottonwood area, which was started by two youths playing with fireworks. That fire burned about 3 acres and came close to destroying homes and other property.

Sutherland encouraged those who want to see fireworks this year to, “go see an organized fireworks show. Leave it to the professionals.”